Well drilling apparatus



June 2, 1931'.

J. C. FORTUNE WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed June 16. 1928 Patented June 2, 1931 JAMES C. FORTUNE, GF NEVI YORK, N. Y.

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Application filed June 16, 1928. Serial No. 285,804.

This invention relates to the drilling of wells by the so-called rotary7 methods Special objects of the invention are to enable the drilling of the well with a predetero mined desired weight on the bit; to control passage through the drill pipe in either direction; to control the buoyancy and hence reduce the dead weight of the pipe lowered into the hole as may be desired; to enable a l rotary jar action when that eect is required to loosen a bit which has become stuck, and to provide mechanism for the above which will be simple, eihcient and practical in all respects.

The tore-going and other desirable objects are attained in this invention by certain novel features of construction, combination and relations ot parts as set forth in the ollowing speciiication and broadly claimed.

Inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification, a practical com merical embodiment oit the invention is illustrated, but it will be understood that the struct-ure may be modiiied and altered in its structural form without departure from the true spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a broken part sectional side view showing the invention as in use in an intermediate portion of a drill string; Fig. 2

is an enlarged broken longitudinal sectional View of the new apparatus showing the parts extended, as in entering the well and the valve controlled by such relatively moveable parts as closed; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts shifted as with the bit working on bottom and the valve open to establishcommunication through the length of drill pipe.

Y In Fig. 1, the bit is shown at 5 attached to the end oit a section ot drill pipe 6 of sui-li- 4@ cient length to provide the estimated proper weight on the bit. This section may consist oi any number of lengths depending on the character of the formation, and the apparatus of the present invention is attached to the upper end of this section, where it forms a connection with the upper section 7 of drill pipe extending to the surface.

The structure of the apparatus will be -clea-r from Figs. 2 and 3, where it is shown as consisting in the main of the two slidably related members 8 and 9 keyed together at 10, so as to turn one with the other. The inner member 8 is in the nature of a plunger having a head 11 at the lower end of the same, and the outer member 9 is in the nature or" a barrel or sleeve sliding over the plunger and having an internal shoulder 12 engageable with the head to limit the downward sliding movement of the same. The plunger member is shown as screwed into a coupling sleeve 13 having a box 14; to receive the pin 15 ci' the tool joint 16 on the end of the upper or surface section of the pipe string. At the lower end, a tool joint or Hush coupling 17 connects the apparatus with the section of pipe 6 which rests on the bit. With this construction therefore, the device may be connected in at any point in the length of a drill string, providing when so arranged, a vertical lost motion connection between the lower bit carrying sect-ion of pipe and the upper sect-ion of pipe extending to the surface. rlhe keyed connection at 10y between the two telescopic members of the device enables the rotation of the upper pipe sectionto be transmitted to the lower pipe section, and hence the bit can be turned in all positions of the lost motion connection. By raising and lowering the upper section oit the string, the device may be used as a jarV to break the bit loose from the forma.- tion andthe jarring may be employed independently of, or in conjunction with the rotary turning action.

Communication between the upperand lower sections of drilllpipe is controlled in the present disclosure by theprovision of a wash pipe 18 carried by the plunger V8 and provided with a port or ports 19 to operate as a valve in conjunction with the surrounding valve sleeve 2O mounted in the lower end of the barrel 9.

The wash pipe 18 is shown as having an adjustable connection with the plunger by screwing up into a seat 21 in the lower end of the plunger, where it is held in the desired relation by a lock nut 22. The range of adjustment permits the valvel port 19 to be shifted relatively to the valve sleeve 20, and hence the valve opening and closing movements to be timed relative to the telescopic movements of the plunger and barrel.

The valve sleeve 20 is shown as seating in a coupling sleeve 23 secured in the lower end of the barrel 9, and as being packed at opposite ends by glands 24 and packing rings 25.

The washpipe is shown as closed at the lower end by a valve 28 normally held to its seat by a spring 27. This valve opens downwardly and hence will close automatically to pressure from below, but may'be forced open by superior pressure from above, capable also of overcomingthe 4valvec-losing force of spring 27.

The check valve 26 is shown as carried by a removable'cage 28 screwed on the lower end of the washrpipe. This cage may be removed to leave the wash pipe open, or if the valve is not: required andthe washpipe is to be lkept Closed, the same may be covered by aV suitable cap screwed onthe lower end ofthe pipe in place of the yvalve cage.

A spring 29 is shown located in the barrel between the lock nutf22 and upper gland nut 4: to hold thefrelatively telescopic parts in the extended relation in Fig. 2, which spring however may be left off and the weight of the bit and attachedvpipe be depended on to keep thesliding joint in the extended relation when the bit is oft' bottom.

rlhe plunger member 8 is illustrated as having' a key socket 30 in the upper end of the same by which it may be screwed up into the coupling collar 113. The kgap in the sliding joint, between the lower end of collar '13 and upper end of the barrel 9 is shown as protected by a sleeve 31 secured to the lower end ofthe collar and slidingly engaging over the'reduced upper end portion 32 of the barrel. This guard sleeve prevents `grit from getting into the barrel and into the keyways from above, while suitable packing 33 between the head of the plunger and the inside of the barrel prevents Vgrit from getting in runder the keyways from below.

Circulation openings .or vents 34 are shown provided in' the kupper and lowerpertions of lthe barrel andin the guard sleeve to prevent trapping a cushion of duid therein, but if found desirable, one or more, or all these vents may be, closed as bymeans of suitable ,plugs to use the fluid trapped in the barrel lor sleeve as a cushion.

The two telescopically related members 8 and@ of the sliding joint construction are keyedtogether in the present :disclosure by means of a series of longitudinal keys on the plunger working in key grooves cutinside vthe barrel. Thisforms-a strong and easily `manufa'ct-ured key connection.

H'Inpne use of the invention, a sulicient length of pipe is connected -with the bit to give theweight which it is estimated will be best for drilling in theparticular formation andthe apparatus is then connected to the this may drill pipe and the as the bit is lifted top of this section, other pipe sections being connected with the top of the apparatus sufficient to extend to the surface. The apparatus thereby becomes a driving unit and vertical lost motion connection between the two sections of pipe and in addition, a valve mechanism keeping the upper section of pipe dry, while the pipe is being lowered, but opening automatically when the bit reaches bottom to connect the two sections of the string and to Aleave-.the weight of the lower section on the bit for drilling purposes. The invention gives the driller notice when the bit reaches bottom by rush of air when the valve opens, as the'circulation will be cut olf while the pipe ,is being lowered, but will be established through opening of the valve when the bit rests on bottom. Circulation of drilling fluid may thus be kept up while drillingprogresses and with the pipe held fast in the rotary, the lower sectionof the string will feed down with the bit untilthe closing of the valve and consequent rise in pressure of the circulation fluid indicates to the driller that the bit has advanced the eX- tent of the lost motion connection, which for example, may be somewhere` in the neighborhood of between 1S inches and three `feet for usual drilling operations. In this way, the driller 'can tell whether the bitis o bottom or on bottom, Iknows that the desired drilling-weight is en the bit, regardless of the depth of hole and is informed -when the feeding movement of the bit is completed. The drilling can-thus be `advanced step by "100 step as raaidly as practicable, at all times with the proper weight `on the bit, no matter how deep the Yhole may go,fan'd if it is desirable to change the weight on the bit, this can be done at any timeby pulling out thestring L'105 and adding or, taking out as manylengths of pipe in the lower-sectionf'as lmay-be desired to increase 'orreduce the' weight onthe bit.

Tae inventionvmay bevused to'clean out fa lP110 well in which there -is pressure by closing-off the well at the top and introducing the'valve structure, in a string of flush joint pipe, throughfa stufling box.' In this case when the bit Velflcounters bottom, the valve will vlie-1115. opened and the cuttings may then pass up through vthe drill pipe wundert-pressure from :the well, or if additional pressure isl required,

be supplied by introducing suitable pressure inojthe casing surroundingv the-*drill 3*'120 pipe, the circulation-being then the reverse of that ordinarily employed in rotary ydrilling, the cuttings beingfl-ushed up through the flow automatically cutting pipe ispulled' out, asI soon 4125 off bottom. As the valve is closed-in going into thefhole, the uppersectionof the string is empty and so can be floated into position with Jless strain on the.v hoist and `derrick mechanism. Y, The

off when the drill construction operates as 4a check valve, but

lowering the string until Vthe bit rests on bottom, or by hoisting the string enough to lift the-bit ofi bottom. The apparatus may be used with flush 'joint pipe and operated through Aa stuffing box when the sleeve 3l is used ver the lost motion joint, the tapered edge oi the sleeve and bevelled shoulder 36 on the barrel permitting these part-s to pass through a stalling box. The extent oi' the lost'motion is suiiicient to enable the appara- 'tus being used as a powerful jar if such need arises at vany time. `By screwing rthe wash pipe i8 further into the head offthe plunger, the valve port 19 'will be uncovered later and be closed earlier in the reciprocating movements ofthe two members of the joint, and the reverse adjustment will have the reverse effects. By closing the lower end of the wash pipe with a check valve such as shown, forced circulation may be-started, `for instance, to overcome pressure in the well should. the requirement arise. By the provision of a regular or suitable tool joint connection at opposite ends of 'the device, the same may be quickly coupled and uncoupled and used wherever required in the drill string. lThe various parts of the device are strong, can be readily assembled and are well capable of serving their purpose. The sliding form oi valve shown is simple and substantial, and can be kept tight bythe packing glands at opposite ends oi the sleeve. This valve structure and 'other vfeatures of the invention however may be modified to meet special conditions or requirements and still be within the true scope of the invention.

That is claimed is:

l. Vlnapparatus ot the character disclosed, a slide coupling for connection at an intermediatefpoint in a drill string and comprising relatively telescopic tub'ular'members longitudinallykeyedtogether to carry the `rotation of the drill string independently of the sliding movements ofthe membersrelative to each other, drill string coupling elements at the ends of said telescopically related members, whereby the device may be Vconnected for rotary driving operations Iat a selected point in the length of the drill string, valve 'means operative in the relative movements `of the two members to control communication between the section of pipe below said drive coupling and the section ofrpipe above the same, and aI checkvalve operable by superior' pressure in the section above the drivecouprising telescopically related 'tubular members adapted to be connected in an intermedia'teportion'of a rotary drilllstrin'gand having limited longitudinal .movement relative to'each other and 3keyed'together, so that rotation oi the upper member will transmitv rotational drive to the lower member andthe Vsection of drill string below the same, and

valve mechanism carried by said members adapte'd'tobe opened-to establish communication betweenthe upper and lower sections oi drill string when the upper section is lowered with the lower seetion-supportedon the bottom oiia well and to be closed when the lower -section'lowers away from the upper section las drilling'progresses.

3. :In well 'drilling apparatus, a rotary drill string, a bit carried thereby, a slide coupling interposed in said drill string and keyed to etect a rotary drive -from the upper section 'to the lower p ipe -section, and valve means controlling communication betweenthe upper and lower pipe-sections and operable bythe telescopic movements o' said slide -drive coupling to open communication between tthe 'upper and lower pipe sections lwhen' the'upper section 'rests upon the lower :section and to close communication'between the pipe sections when the lower pipe sect-ion `is suspendedirom the upper pipe section.

4. In combination"withftelescopically 'related 'members adapted to Vbe interposed in a rotary ydrill string,said members having fa. sliding drive connection whereby rotation of the upper Imember will transmit'rotation to'the lower member, a washnpipe carried by the upper member and a (zo-operative lvalve kmember carried by the lowermember, said wash pipe and valve member having cooperlating'elements of a valveto close vcommuniycationbetween the upper and lower members when'the lower vmember is suspended from the upper member andto open communication 'between said two members'when `the lupper member is ysupported `by the'lower .m'embei 5. 'In combination with telescopically `related fmembers adapted to be interposed in a rotary drilllstring, saidmembers having a sliding drive connectiomwhereby rotation of the uppermember lwill` transmitrotation fto thelower member, a wash pipe carried by the upper memberya co-operativevalve member carried the vlower memberfand a downwardly opening cheek valve'carried by said washpipe.

6. In combinati-'on"withftelescopically re- -lated1`members ladapted 'to be interposed-in a rotary drill string, said members having a sliding drive connection, whereby rotation of the upper member will transmit rotation'to the lower member, a wash pipe carried by the uppermember, a co-operative valve member carried by 'the lower member and avcheck valve removably securedto the lower end of said wash pipe. p

7. In `apparatus of the character disclosed, lfa'tubular plunger havinga head atthe lower end of the same, a barrel slidingly engaged over said plunger and shouldered for engagement with the head on the plunger to limit the downward movement of the barrel over said plunger, a keying connection between the plunger andbarrel, whereby the rotation of one will be imparted to the other, a downwardly extending wash pipe carried by the plunger and a cooperating valve body carried by the lower end of the barrel, said wash pipe and valve body having cooperating elements of a valve to open communication between the tubular plunger and surrounding Ybarrel when the plunger is supported on the barrel and to close communication between said plunger and barrel when the barrel is suspended on the plunger.

8. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a tubular plunger having a head at the lower end of the same, a barrel slidingly engaged over said plunger and shouldered for engagement with the head on the plunger to limit the downward movement of the barrel over said plunger, a keying connection between the plunger and barrel, whereby the rotation of one will be imparted to the other, a downwardly extending wash pipe carried by the plunger, a cooperating valve body carried by the lower end of the barrel, said wash pipe having a port in the side of the same, the valve body having a valve sleeve surrounding the wash pipe and operable in the lowered position of the barrel to close said port, and in the lowered position of the plunger to open said port and a pressure operable check valve carried by the wash pipe.

9. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a tubular plunger having a head at the lower end of the same, a barrel slidingly enga-ged oversaid plunger and shouldered for engagement with the head on the plunger to limit the downward movement of the barrel over said plunger, a keying connection between the plunger and barrel, whereby the rotation of one will be imparted to the other, a downwardly extending wash pipe carried by the plunger, a cooperating valve body carried by the lower end of the barrel, said wash pipe having a port in the side ,of the same, the valve body having a valve sleeve surrounding the wash pipe and operable in thelowered position of the barrel to closesaid port and in the lowered position of the plunger to open said port and a pressure operable check valve controlling flow through the plunger and wash pipe.

10. In rotary drilling, the process which comprises interposing at a point in the drill string where the section of pipe on the bit substantially equals the desired weight on the bit for drilling in the particular formation, a longitudinally extensive limited lost motion drive coupling, drilling with said string while supporting the section above said coupling from the surface so as to leave the weight of only the section below the coupling on the bit and valving communication between the upper and lower sections of the string by the lost motion movements of said couplings.

11. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a slide coupling comprising telescopically related tubular members adapted to be connected in an intermediate portion of a rotary drill string and having limited longitudinal movement relative to each other and keyed together so that rotation of the upper member will'transmit rotational drive to the lower member and the section of drill string below the same and an automatically closing check valve controlling communication between the sections of drill pipe above and below the slide coupling, said check valve being operable by superior pressure in the section above the slide coupling to open communication between said upper and lower sections of drill pipe.

12. In apparatus of the character disclosed, the combination of a tubular coupling member forming one element of a joint in a string of rotary drill pipe, a valve sleeve secured in the bore of said coupling member, a tubular valving member slidingly operating in said valve sleeve, said tubular valving member having a closed lower end below the lower end of the valve sleeve and having a port in the side of the same to be exposed below the lower end of the valve sleeve when said tubular valving member slides downwardly in the valve sleeve and a spring acting on the upper portion of the valving member above the valve sleeve.

13. In apparatus of the `character disclosed, the combination of a tubular coupling member forming one element of a joint in a string of rotary drill pipe, a valve sleeve secured in the bore of said coupling member, a tubular valving member slidingly operating in said valve sleeve, said tubular valving member having a closed lower end below the lower end of the valve sleeve andvhaving a port in the side of the same to be exposed below the lower end of the valve sleeve when said tubular valving member slides downwardly in the valve sleeve, said closed lower end of the tubular valving member having an automatically closing check valve which will open to pressure within the tubular valving member.

14. In apparatus of the character disclosed, the combination of a string oi rotary drill pipe, abit carried by said string, relativelytelescopic drive coupling members interposed in an intermediate portion of said string of drill pipe, valve members carried by said members and maintained in valve-closed relation .while the string is lowered into a hole to thereby enable the drill pipe being introduced into a well without the well flowing through the same, said valve means being automatically opened by the relative movement of the telescopic members when the bit operates on bottom to enable drilling cuttings to be recovered through the drill pipe by pressure in the Well, said valve closing by the relative movement of the telescopic members when the drill pipe is lifted on completion of the drilling, whereby the drill pipe may be pulled out Without the Well flowing through the same and pressure operated valve means opening by pressure in the drill pipe superior to the Well pressure, whereby passage may be forced into the Well by pumping down the drill pipe from the surface at any time the same may be required.

In testimony whereof I aiX my signature.

JAMES C. FORTUNE. 

